ALEXANDER DORSEY

Was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, November 29, 1824. His father, Charles Dorsey, was a native of Raleigh,
North Carolina, and was born March, 6th, 1795. He was a son of William Dorsey, who served for seven years in the
revolutionary war, participating in several of the battles of the Southern Campaign. He was born in Baltimore,
in the year 1757, and at an early age moved to Carolina. Three brothers settled at an early day in Baltimore, and
from them sprang the Dorsey family in America. They are of Scotch and English descent. Mr. Dorsey moved from North
Carolina to Middle Tennessee, and settled near where the late battle of Murfreesboro was fought. He died at his
residence in 1807. His vocation was that of a farmer.

Charles Dorsey frequently made trips to Alabama and other states, as teamster, which vocation he followed several
years. On the 16th of October, 1823, he was married to Miss Elenor, daughter of Mathias and Anna Broils, of Rutherford
county, Tennessee.

Mrs. Dorsey was born June 25th, 1805, in Tennessee. Her parents were natives of North Carolina. On the 31st of
December, 1828, he landed with his family in Pike county, Illinois, and wintered in a board camp. The spring followed
he cleared a piece of land, on which a portion of Detroit now stands. In the spring of 1831 he settled on section
24, on the middle fork of McKee's creek, in Perry township, where he became quite extensively engaged in farming
and stock raising. He became owner of some very fine land. He had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are
yet living, all married. Mr. Dorsey died at his residence, October 3d, 1856. His wife survived him until March
12th, 1858.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey were both members of the Christian church. The subject of this sketch received his education
in Pike county. In the winter of 1845-46 he made a visit to his old home in Ruthfort county, Tenn., where he became
acquainted with, and married, Miss Jane, daughter of Capt. Mathias Fox. She was born Nov. 29, 1829, in Ruthford
county. Her father was a planter. After his marriage, Mr. Dorsey brought his wife to Illinois, engaging in farming
in Perry township and is so engaged at the present time. He makes a specialty of raising the best breeds of hogs
and sheep, such as Poland-China, Berkshire, Chester-white, and Essex hogs, and Spanish marine and Cotswold sheep.
His farm is under a good state of cultivation. A view of his residence will appear elsewhere in this work. His
family numbers six children — four boys and two girls.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey are both members of the Christian church.
Politically he was a whig, but since the organization of the republican party, he has ranked among its members.
During the most trying times of the late war, the subject of this sketch, stood firm for the cause of the Union.
At present he is residing on his farm, enjoying good health.